Last week, our very own Sam Sleight caught up with Chris Houston, Managing Director at Tadweld, to reflect on what has been an exciting period of growth and transformation for the business since Chris took over back in 2022.
Made in Yorkshire member Tadweld has gone from strength to strength over the past year in particular, growing turnover by an impressive 35% and expanding its workforce significantly – now employing over 50 staff. This growth has been supported by over £450,000 of investment into new capital equipment, including armada presses, a new guillotine, laser welding technologies, and new vehicles. Further to this, the company has invested over £1 million into new premises to support its expansion plans – a key development that will allow the Tadcaster-based structural steel specialists to take on more projects.
A real commitment to people development is clear to see at Tadweld too. Whilst on site, Chris told Sam that over the past 12 months alone, the business has delivered more than 2,500 hours of training, driven employee engagement levels up to a fantastic 81% (well above the national manufacturing average of 59%), and introduced a company health plan and holiday purchase scheme to further support employee wellbeing. It’s no surprise that Tadweld’s culture and team spirit shine through in everything they do.
Further investment in technology has also been a focus, with Tadweld acquiring 3D laser scanning technology to enhance its site surveying and project delivery capabilities. The business is continuing to diversify its offering too, working on major projects across a range of sectors – including exciting ongoing work for major global blue-chip brands.
Looking ahead, Tadweld is set to unlock even more potential as it further expands its footprint in Taddy. In addition to the sprucing up that has already taken place in the existing workshop space, Tadweld has plans to move into a couple of neighbouring buildings. This expansion will offer increased space for operations, a better working environment for staff, and the opportunity to host customers more comfortably – a positive step in their long-term journey.
Reflecting on Tadweld’s first year as a member of Made in Yorkshire, Chris told Sam:
"Being part of Made in Yorkshire over the past year has been valuable for us — not just in terms of making new connections, but in having a community to learn from and share ideas with. It’s good to be part of something where everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed.”
It’s safe to say that the future looks bright for Tadweld. With ambitious leadership, a clear investment strategy, and a people-first approach, they are a fantastic example of how an SME manufacturer can thrive in 2025, despite the well-documented challenges our industry is experiencing.